CIAA Files Corruption Case Against Former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case at the Special Court against former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and others in connection with alleged irregularities in a controversial land-swap deal involving Patanjali Yogpeeth.

According to a senior CIAA source, the case was officially registered earlier today, making it the first time in Nepal’s history that a corruption case has been filed against a former prime minister. This also marks the first instance where a Cabinet decision has come under direct scrutiny in a corruption case.

The issue stems from a land deal wherein Patanjali Yogpeeth had received government permission to purchase land under a land ceiling exemption, citing its plans to cultivate medicinal herbs and construct an Ayurvedic hospital in Kavrepalanchok. The land was acquired during the tenure of then Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal through a Cabinet decision dated Magh 18, 2066 (February 1, 2010), allowing the purchase of 815 ropani of land.

However, shortly after acquiring the land—about 600 ropani of which was reportedly purchased—Patanjali allegedly moved to sell parts of it. As per the Land Act, 2021 (1964), land acquired under a ceiling exemption for productive industrial or business use cannot be sold, and in the event of the dissolution of such companies, the land automatically reverts to the government. Despite this, the then government granted permission for the sale of the land, which has now come under legal challenge.

The CIAA had previously recorded a statement from Mr. Nepal during its investigation into the land transaction involving Patanjali. The anti-graft body alleges that the Cabinet’s decision facilitated unlawful gains and bypassed legal provisions intended to protect public land resources.

Mr. Nepal, who currently chairs the CPN (Unified Socialist) party, is among several individuals named in the case.